The Washington Redskins have discussed their vacant job with the biggest jewel among unemployed NFL coaches [-] former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson.

The odds of a Johnson-Redskins union appear long, given Johnson’s stated satisfaction with retirement and the league-wide perception of Washington’s opening as anything but an optimal situation.

However, the fact that two NFL sources said Washington has sought out Johnson in recent days was a strong indication that the club has begun to assemble a Plan B in its coaching search.

One NFL source said the Redskins also had begun inquiring about the credentials of Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Russ Grimm, a former Hog whose connection to Washington’s glory years could energize an increasingly apathetic fan base.

--- a lot of the background we all know snipped ---

Clearly the most coveted candidate would be Johnson, but his repeated comments about wanting to stay retired have left him, in the eyes of many around the league, off the market. It is believed the Redskins would need to make a massive offer to Johnson and sign over a significant amount of organizational power to land him.

Other candidates who could get interviews if Washington’s top three choices fall through include Redskins offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson and New England Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.

One of the names on their would be brilliant... Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson would be masterful here... I did here though that he wasn't going anywhere a week or two ago, but hey, it may have changed if Jody threw his name into the pot...

Look at what Johnson did in making the Eagles linebacking corps over the past few seasons be ranked among the leagues elite... Imagine the possibility of Arrington, Trotter, and Armstead, along with Mitchell, because he likes to add extra LB's on passing situations for mixed blitz packages...

Trotter would be in the system he flirted with 200 tackles and went to Hawii in, Arrington would be free to roam, and Jesse would do what he did in NY for the past decade...